PHYSICAL SELF-ESTEEM OF ALBINOS IN KINSHASA AND ITS EXPLANATORY FACTORS

Abstract

The aim of this research was to assess the physical self-esteem of albinos in the Democratic Republic of Congo (more specifically, those living in the city-province of Kinshasa), and to identify the most explanatory factors. With this in mind, a physical self-esteem inventory was applied to 70 albinos living in Kinshasa, members of the Mwimba Texas Association. Following the administration of this inventory, it was found that the albinos surveyed had positive physical self-esteem. This positive self-esteem manifested itself in a positive perception of: (1) overall self, (2) physical value, (3) physical appearance and (4) strength. The study of explanatory determinants made it possible to target two factors that influenced all the dimensions of the self-esteem of the subjects surveyed (support of entourage and perception of albinos by entourage).